Rogers Media uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and for other purposes. Learn more or change your cookie preferences. Rogers Media supports the Digital Advertising Alliance principles. By continuing to use our service, you agree to our use of cookies.

We use cookies (why?) You can change cookie preferences. Continued site use signifies consent.

If you were driving on Highway 401 through Cambridge on Friday, you probably didn’t have a good time.

The quick switch from heavy rain to blowing snow made for some hazardous road conditions, and police had their hands full dealing with numerous crashes and closures.

Regional Police responded to over two dozen crashes at the height of the snowfall, and there were two major closures in the westbound Highway 401 lanes.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says the first occurred around 4 p.m. in Cambridge.

“We have a full closure of the westbound 401 lanes at Shantz Hill due to a transport truck jackknife collision involving another vehicle, minor injuries sustained. We have a diesel spill there as well, that just came in within the last few minutes.”

Traffic was at a standstill for hours until westbound lanes reopened around 7 p.m. – but relief didn’t last long, as another jackknifed tractor trailer shut down westbound 401 lanes just after Highway 6 north.

That closure was cleared around midnight, but roadways remain slick and icy this morning.

OPP were called to almost 40 crashes through the GTA late Friday – including one with a propane tank in the eastbound 401 lanes approaching Hespeler Road, and another on Highway 7/8 at Nafziger Road.

Police are urging motorists to slow down, use caution, and drive according to weather and road conditions.

All WB 401 lanes are BLOCKED just past the 6’s approaching the Cambridge ONroute due to another jackknifed tractor trailer. Second crash today to shut down all WB 401 lanes. #DriveSafe

Currently responding to 25 collisions across the Region. Please slow down, clean off your vehicle, turn on your lights to ensure you’re visible, leave extra space between yourself and the vehicle in front of you and drive according to the winter road conditions. #RoadSafetypic.twitter.com/lvFcQmPlre